About
A medium-sized, deciduous shrub, usually fairly upright, with fresh green foliage that's covered in silky hairs as it emerges, and which remain on the undersides of the leaves. The single, white or pale pink flowers appear in early spring and are followed by bright red, edible but sharp, fruit on short stalks.
About the genus
Prunus can be deciduous or evergreen trees or shrubs with showy flowers in spring, and often good autumn foliage colour. Some have edible fruit in autumn, and a few species have ornamental bark
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeChalk, Clay, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH7
Plant details
Plant typeShrubs
HabitBushy
FoliageDeciduous
Height1.5-2.5 metres
Spread1.5-2.5 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens
Native toJapan, Korea, China
Care notes
CultivationGrow in moderately fertile soil in full sun
PruningPruning group 1. Prune in mid-summer if silver leaf is a problem
PropagationPropagate by seed; softwood cuttings in early summer with bottom heat can be successful
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to caterpillars, leaf-mining moths and aphids
Disease resistanceMay besusceptible to silver leaf, bacterial canker and blossom wilt. High Risk Host for Xylella fastidiosa